Group meditation: What is your true nature? (hint, you are good)

In this first session, we will do introductions, discuss any past experience with meditation and spiritual practices, and then I’ll lead a group session on finding what’s called the “natural state,” our inherent state of clarity, compassion, and groundedness, through a very simple practice called “whole body smile.” Regardless of whether you’re looking for enlightenment or just want to meet other like-minded people, it’ll be a pleasant afternoon sitting and smiling for no good reason. Chairs are available for up to 15 people, or, if you prefer, you can bring a mat or cushion. We might also sit outside on the shaded patio when the weather is nice. Your instructor: I’m Lindsay Kriebel, an instructor (skt. acharya) with Open Heart Sangha. I’ve practiced with Open Heart for going on 5 years, following 10 years of throwing every self-help solution I could find at addiction, depression, and social anxiety. It’s taken me this long to see that complex problems can’t be solved by more overthinking. Simple solutions like developing compassion for myself and others work exactly because they are so basic. When I’m not seeking spiritual realization, I’m a librarian, seeking information for law students at the University of Arizona. If you’re curious about meditation, if you’ve practiced it already and wanted to delve further into it, if you consider yourself a “seeker,” someone always looking, always searching for something more, you’ll be in good company with Open Heart, a worldwide community of lay practitioners who have explored traditions from Zen Buddhism to Kriya Yoga and learned from each of them. Read more about Open Heart here, or find us on Facebook or Instagram. In these hour and a half sessions, we will discuss our experiences and personal practice for the first half-hour, then I will guide us through sitting practice on a different theme each week. Themes will include: * What is your true nature? (hint, you are good) * Compassion…